Mabh Savage

As much as I would like to say something meaningful about the U.K., my home, leaving the European Union today, I’m finding it hard to find the words. I feel a bit numb; like it’s a bad dream I might wake up from. But then, I’m hyper aware of how melodramatic that sounds, especially to those who either supported the Leave campaign or who don’t care much either way.

I firmly believe this is the wrong decision. I believe that we are stronger together. I believe that as an island country with no empire (despite what some seem to believe) and few meaningful trade agreements as yet, we will struggle. There’s this pervasive attitude of “Well, we’ll struggle through together! Like in the war!” But… we shouldn’t have to. We shouldn’t have to.

Having said that, little I or anyone else can say will change what’s going to happen today. We are leaving the EU. Bloody hell, I’ve got a tear in my eye as I write this. We are leaving the EU and now all we can do is this: unify. We must, we have to forget the things that divide us and work together to make sure no one suffers because of the changes that are coming. We need to become a nation of kindness, of compassion, of celebrated diversity and acceptance for all. We need to be firm and fight when required, whether via letters to MPs, protests, or at the voting booth. We need to keep our voices, all our voices, loud and steady, as steady as they can be, to ensure fairness for everyone. Opportunities for everyone.

We are leaving. Nothing can change that now. Britain looks into eternity alone, with uncertainty, with at least eleven months of trials and trade agreement troubles and trepidation. Let’s make it as easy as we can by being the best we can for each other. The best we can be.